Start from scratch or try to fix?

I'm running a HP laptop Vista 32 using IE8. On the 1st, everything was fine. On the morning of the 2nd, it wasn't. The only thing I could trace back to was a Windows update overnight that happened. On the advice of a friend, I changed from Avast (seemed to be adding more viruses and problems than good anyways) to AVG and installed SuperAnti-Spyware, Revo Uninstaller and Comodo firewall. Basically, at that point, everything went south. Unable to get in common websites. Everything being blocked. I screwed around to try and uninstall AVG and Comodo. Come to find that they are imbedded so deep in my system and tied to other programs (Tandem software from 4 years ago?! I don't remember installing that!!). I used Hi-Jack this and my iObit because even my task scheduler was giving me errors. Eset gave me a reply of 9 viruses. Wiped 7 off. 2 remained after reboot. Got rid of them. Did the Black Viper recommendation. That made it worse. I couldn't even safe mode. Finally worked my way through and reinstalled Comodo and am able to get back online but this is just all ridiculous. I've been transferring personal files over to an external hard drive and am ready to wipe this laptop clean. Of course, it being an HP already installed with Vista, I don't have a startup disc. They do have an option to go back to factory settings. But I'm terrified to start from scratch. Especially since I need this laptop because I work from home. So, advice? Wipe it and start over or try and clear some of this crap out? Any...ANY....help would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks.

 

Greetings, BeepJeep, and welcome to MajorGeeks...

I strongly suggest that you perform all of the steps listed in the Read & Run Me First thread, then start a new thread in the Malware Forum and attach the requested logs to that thread.

Once the Malware Forum gurus give you the all-clear, then we can tackle any further problems that your machine might be experiencing.

 

Thank you for the reply, Caliban. Just got home (run, run, run WHEW!) so I'm off per your instructions and we'll see how bad I can mess this one up.

 

Took a little while, Caliban. But I think I got it all done and posted into the Malware forum. Thank you again for your help!!

 

No problem. Be patient with the Malware Removal staff - they're the best in the business but they are an elite few. Sometimes it might take them a while to reach your entry in the queue, but I guarantee that they will get to you eventually with good results. Good luck.

 

I'll do my best. And take your word for it.